Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of the Herth Hope Index in Spanish Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties, differential item functioning, factorial invariance, and convergent validity of the Spanish version of the Herth Hope Index (HHI) in patients with cancer. METHOD: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to explore the scale, dimensionality, functioning of items, test for strong measurement invariance across sex, age, tumor site, and expected survival, and an extended structural equation model to assess external validity in a cross-sectional, multicenter, prospective study of 863 cancer patients from 15 Spanish hospitals. RESULTS: The results do not support the original 3-factor scale but instead suggest a one-factor structure, which explained 62% of the common variance. Scores from the unidimensional structure exhibited satisfactory reliability (ω = .88). A strong invariance solution demonstrated excellent fit across sex, age, tumor site, and survival. HHI exhibited substantial associations with resilience coping strategies and spiritual well-being. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study contribute to the diversity of earlier empirical findings regarding the construct of hope. Despite this, our results indicate that the Spanish version of the HHI is a short, easy-to-administer, valid, reliable tool for evaluating cancer patients' levels of hope.

Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of the Herth Hope Index in Spanish Cancer Patients / Propiedades Psicométricas y Medida de Invarianza del Índice de Esperanza de Herth en Pacientes Oncológicos Españoles

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties, differential item functioning, factorial invariance, and convergent validity of the Spanish version of the Herth Hope Index (HHI) in patients with cancer. Method: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to explore the scale, dimensionality, functioning of items, test for strong measurement invariance across sex, age, tumor site, and expected survival, and an extended structural equation model to assess external validity in a cross-sectional, multicenter, prospective study of 863 cancer patients from 15 Spanish hospitals. Results: The results do not support the original 3-factor scale but instead suggest a one-factor structure, which explained 62% of the common variance. Scores from the unidimensional structure exhibited satisfactory reliability (ω= .88). A strong invariance solution demonstrated excellent fit across sex, age, tumor site, and survival. HHI exhibited substantial associations with resilience coping strategies and spiritual well-being. Conclusions: The findings of our study contribute to the diversity of earlier empirical findings regarding the construct of hope. Despite this, our results indicate that the Spanish version of the HHI is a short, easy-to-administer, valid, reliable tool for evaluating cancer patients’ levels of hope.(AU)

Antecedentes: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas, el funcionamiento de los ítems, la invariancia factorial y la validez convergente de la versión española del Herth Hope Index (HHI) en pacientes con cáncer. Método: Estudio transversal, multicéntrico, prospectivo de 863 pacientes con cáncer de 15 hospitales españoles. Se realizaron análisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios para explorar la dimensionalidad, el funcionamiento de los ítems, la invariancia de medición según el sexo, la edad, el sitio del tumor y la supervivencia esperada, y la validez externa. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos no respaldan la escala original de 3 factores y en cambio sugieren una estructura de un factor, que explicó el 62% de la varianza común, con una confiabilidad satisfactoria (ω = .88). Una solución de invariancia fuerte demostró un excelente ajuste en función del sexo, la edad, el sitio del tumor y la supervivencia. HHI reveló asociaciones sustanciales con la resiliencia y el bienestar espiritual. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados indican que la versión en español del HHI es una herramienta corta, fácil de administrar, válida y confiable para evaluar el nivel de esperanza de los pacientes con cáncer.(AU)

Gulliksen's pool: A quick tool for preliminary detection of problematic items in item factor analysis.

Exploratory factor analysis is widely used for item analysis in the earlier stages of scale development, usually with large pools of items. In this scenario, the presence of inappropriate or ineffective items can hamper the process of analysis, making it very difficult to correctly assess dimensionality and structure. To minimize, this (quite frequent) problem, we propose and implement a simple procedure designed to flag potentially problematic items before we specify any particular factorial solution. The procedure defines regions of item appropriateness and efficiency based on the combined impact of two prior item features: extremeness and consistency. The general proposal is related to the most widely used frameworks for item analysis. The limits of the appropriateness regions are obtained by extensive simulation in conditions that mimic those found in applications. An Item Response Theory index of prior item efficiency is then defined, and a combined approach for selecting the most effective and problem-free item sub-set is proposed. The proposal is useful to normal-range measures, such as questionnaire surveys that elicit reports about non-extreme attitudes, facts, beliefs or states, or personality questionnaires that measure normal-range constructs. The procedure is implemented in a freeware software.

Development of a Revised Version of the Statistical Anxiety Scale.

BACKGROUND: Statistics anxiety is a common problem in students taking statistics courses in the social sciences. It is most widely measured by the statistical anxiety scale. The various adaptations of this instrument have shown certain problems in the replication of its factorial structure and do not have a system to control possible response bias effects. The objective of our study was to propose a short test to measure statistical anxiety that also includes a scale to control social desirability bias. METHOD: We developed a revised version of the statistical anxiety scale using procedures for controlling response biases and examined its factorial structure using exploratory and confirmatory analysis in a sample of 531 students. RESULTS: The revised version showed a clear four-factor structure in exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses with the expected three content factors plus one social desirability factor. The scales showed no acquiescence effects and moderate social desirability effects, and had a clear relationship with academic success. CONCLUSIONS: The revised version of the statistical anxiety scale improves on the psychometric properties of the original version and may overcome the problems detected in some adaptations of the previous version.

Measurement properties of the Spanish version of the brief resilient coping scale (BRCS) in cancer patients

Background/Objective: Resilience is the capacity to adaptively confront stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties, convergent validity, and factorial invariance of the Spanish version of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS).Method: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses based on a cross-validation were conducted to explore the scale's dimensionality and test for strong (scalar) measurement invariance across gender, age, tumor site, and survival, by fitting multiple-group confirmatory solutions. An extended structural equation model was used to assess external validity. Prospective, multicenter cohort study of 636 patients who completed the BRCS, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Spiritual well‐being (FACIT-sp) scales.Results: The data supported a unidimensional structure. The BRCS is a very short, narrow bandwidth measure, with items demonstrating high discriminating power. A strong invariance solution demonstrated excellent fit across gender, age, tumor site, and survival. Scores derived from the unidimensional structure exhibited satisfactory degrees of reliability (ω = .86) and determinacy (FDI = .94). BRCS revealed substantial associations with satisfaction with life and spirituality well-being (all p < .001), factors widely related to resilience, particularly in cancer patients.Conclusions: The Spanish version of the BRCS is a reliable, valid resilience measure in advanced cancer. (AU)

Measurement properties of the Spanish version of the brief resilient coping scale (BRCS) in cancer patients.

Background/Objective: Resilience is the capacity to adaptively confront stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties, convergent validity, and factorial invariance of the Spanish version of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS). Method: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses based on a cross-validation were conducted to explore the scale's dimensionality and test for strong (scalar) measurement invariance across gender, age, tumor site, and survival, by fitting multiple-group confirmatory solutions. An extended structural equation model was used to assess external validity. Prospective, multicenter cohort study of 636 patients who completed the BRCS, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Spiritual well-being (FACIT-sp) scales. Results: The data supported a unidimensional structure. The BRCS is a very short, narrow bandwidth measure, with items demonstrating high discriminating power. A strong invariance solution demonstrated excellent fit across gender, age, tumor site, and survival. Scores derived from the unidimensional structure exhibited satisfactory degrees of reliability (ω = .86) and determinacy (FDI = .94). BRCS revealed substantial associations with satisfaction with life and spirituality well-being (all p < .001), factors widely related to resilience, particularly in cancer patients. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the BRCS is a reliable, valid resilience measure in advanced cancer.

Development of a Revised Version of the Statistical Anxiety Scale / Desarrollo de una Versión Revisada de la Escala de Ansiedad Estadística

Background: Statistics anxiety is a common problem in students taking statistics courses in the social sciences. It is most widely measured by the statistical anxiety scale. The various adaptations of this instrument have shown certain problems in the replication of its factorial structure and do not have a system to control possible response bias effects. The objective of our study was to propose a short test to measure statistical anxiety that also includes a scale to control social desirability bias. Method: We developed a revised version of the statistical anxiety scale using procedures for controlling response biases and examined its factorial structure using exploratory and confirmatory analysis in a sample of 531 students. Results: The revised version showed a clear four-factor structure in exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses with the expected three content factors plus one social desirability factor. The scales showed no acquiescence effects and moderate social desirability effects, and had a clear relationship with academic success. Conclusions: The revised version of the statistical anxiety scale improves on the psychometric properties of the original version and may overcome the problems detected in some adaptations of the previous version.(AU)

Antecedentes: La ansiedad estadística es un problema habitual en los estudiantes que cursan materias relacionadas con la estadística en las ciencias sociales. Una de las escalas más utilizadas en su evaluación es la Escala de Ansiedad Estadística. En algunas adaptaciones se han detectado problemas en la replicación de su estructura factorial y no controlan los sesgos de respuesta. El objetivo de nuestra investigación fue proponer un test para la evaluación de la ansiedad estadística incluyendo una escala para el control de la deseabilidad social. Método: Se desarrolló una versión revisada de la escala utilizando procedimientos para el control de la deseabilidad social analizándose su estructura factorial en una muestra de 531 estudiantes. Resultados: La versión revisada mostró un ajuste adecuado tanto a nivel exploratorio como confirmatorio a una estructura de cuatro factores; los tres de contenido esperados y un factor de deseabilidad social. Las escalas no mostraron efectos de la aquiescencia y un moderado efecto de la deseabilidad social, además las escalas de contenido mostraron una clara relación con el rendimiento académico. Conclusiones: La versión revisada de la escala mejora las propiedades de la versión precedente y puede solventar los problemas detectados en algunas adaptaciones de la misma.(AU)

Cultural adaptation, translation and validation of the Spanish version Debriefing Experience Scale.

Clinical simulation as a teaching methodology allows the student to train and learn technical abilities and/or non-technical abilities. One of the key elements of this teaching methodology is the debriefing, which consists of a conversation between several people, in which the participants go over a real or simulated event in order to analyze their actions and reflect on the role that thought processes, psychomotor skills and emotional states can play in maintaining, or improving their performance in the future. The Debriefing Experience Scale allows the experience of students in debriefing to be measured. The objective of this study is to translate the Debriefing Experience Scale (DES) into Spanish and analyze its reliability and validity to measure the experience of nursing students during the debriefing. The study was developed in two phases: One: the adaption of the instrument to Spanish, two: a transversal study carried out in a sample of 290 nursing students. The psychometric properties were analyzed in terms of reliability and construct validity using confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA). Cronbach's alpha was adequate for all the scales and for each one of the dimensions. The confirmatory factorial analysis showed that the 4-dimensional model is acceptable for both scales (experience and opinion). The Spanish version Debriefing Experience Scale questionnaire is useful, valid and reliable for use to measure the debriefing experience of university students in a simulation activity.

The forgotten role of absorption in music reward.

Interindividual differences in music-related reward have been characterized as involving five main facets: musical seeking, emotion evocation, mood regulation, social reward, and sensory-motor. An interesting concept related to how humans decode music as a rewarding experience is music transcendence or absorption (i.e., music-driven states of complete immersion, including momentary loss of self-consciousness or even time-space disorientation). Here, we investigated the relation between previously characterized facets of music reward and individual differences in music absorption. A first sample of participants (N = 370) completed both the Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ) and the Absorption in Music Scale (AIMS). Results showed that both constructs were highly interrelated (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), indicating that higher music reward sensitivity is associated with a greater tendency to music-related absorption states. In addition, four items from the AIMS were identified as suitable to be added to an extended version of the BMRQ (eBMRQ). A second sample (N = 550) completed the eBMRQ for a validation study. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on the whole sample (N = 920) showed the reliable psychometric properties of the eBMRQ and suggested that taking into account an absorption facet could contribute to a better characterization of individual differences in the sensitivity to experience music-related reward and pleasure.

[Decalogue for the Factor Analysis of Test Items].

Decalogue for the Factor Analysis of Test Items. BACKGROUND: In the study of the psychometric properties of the items of a test, a fundamental aspect is the analysis of their dimensional structure. The objective of this work is to provide some guidelines that allow the factor analysis of the items to be carried out in a rigorous and systematic way. METHOD: A review of the recent psychometric literature was carried out to identify the fundamental steps to be followed in order to carry out an adequate factor analysis of the items of a test. RESULTS: Ten main recommendations were identified to carry out the factorial analysis of the items of a test: adequacy of the data and the sample, univariate statistics, justification of the analysis, selection of the analyzable items, type of model, most appropriate factorial solution, estimation of the parameters, adequacy of the factorial solution, substantive coherence of the model, and final version of the test. CONCLUSIONS: If the ten recommendations proposed in the current psychometric literature are systematically followed, it will be possible to optimize the quality of the tests and the decision-making based on the estimates of the scores obtained through them. These recommendations should be useful to both researchers and practitioners.

Decálogo para el Análisis Factorial de los Ítems de un Test / Decalogue for the Factor Analysis of Test Items

Antecedentes: en el estudio de las propiedades psicométricas de los ítemsde un test un aspecto fundamental es el análisis de su estructura. El objetivodel presente trabajo es dar unas pautas que permitan llevar a cabo el análisisfactorial de los ítems de una forma rigurosa y sistemática. Método:se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura reciente para identifi car lospasos fundamentales que se han de seguir para llevar a cabo un análisisfactorial adecuado de los ítems de un test. Resultados: se identifi carondiez recomendaciones principales para llevar a cabo el análisis factorialde los ítems de un test: adecuación de los datos y la muestra, estadísticosunivariados, justifi cación del análisis, selección de los ítems analizables,tipo de modelo, solución más apropiada, estimación de los parámetros,adecuación de la solución factorial, coherencia sustantiva del modelo yversión fi nal del test. Conclusión: si se siguen de forma sistemática las diezrecomendaciones propuestas, se conseguirá optimizar la calidad de los testy la toma de decisiones basadas en las estimaciones de las puntuacionesobtenidas mediante los mismos. Estas directrices son recomendablestanto en el ámbito de la investigación como en contextos más aplicadosy profesionales.

Background: In the studyof the psychometric properties of the items of a test, a fundamental aspectis the analysis of their dimensional structure. The objective of this workis to provide some guidelines that allow the factor analysis of the items tobe carried out in a rigorous and systematic way. Method: A review of therecent psychometric literature was carried out to identify the fundamentalsteps to be followed in order to carry out an adequate factor analysis ofthe items of a test. Results: Ten main recommendations were identifi ed tocarry out the factorial analysis of the items of a test: adequacy of the dataand the sample, univariate statistics, justifi cation of the analysis, selectionof the analyzable items, type of model, most appropriate factorial solution,estimation of the parameters, adequacy of the factorial solution, substantivecoherence of the model, and fi nal version of the test. Conclusions: If theten recommendations proposed in the current psychometric literature aresystematically followed, it will be possible to optimize the quality of thetests and the decision-making based on the estimates of the scores obtainedthrough them. These recommendations should be useful to both researchersand practitioners.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the internal structure of the EORTC QLQ-C30, to examine the validity and normative data for cancer patients. METHOD: Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to explore the scale's dimensionality and test for strong measurement invariance across sex and tumor site. All the analyses were based on a multicenter cohort of 931 patients who completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18) and the EORTC QLQ-C30. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that the EORTC QLQ-C30 has acceptable psychometric properties and an internal structure that is well accounted for a bifactor model: a general factor that evaluates quality of life and a group factor that would analyze physical health that would be defined by physical function, role function, and fatigue. The result of the multi-group CFA revealed a strong invariance according to sex, tumor, and over time. Reliability of the EORTC exceeding 0.86 and the simple sum of the items of the scale was a good indicator of oncology patients' quality of life. Both factors correlate closely with depression, anxiety, and psychological distress and are sensitive to change, especially the quality of life, with a significant decrease in the post-test. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 proved to be a valid, reliable instrument to appraise quality of life in cancer patients. The normative data collected from this study may be useful for the early detection of initial symptoms of deterioration of quality of life in oncology patients.

SOLOMON: a method for splitting a sample into equivalent subsamples in factor analysis.

Nowadays, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are two important consecutive steps in an overall analysis process. The overall analysis should start with an exploratory factor analysis that explores the data and establishes a hypothesis for the factor model in the population. Then, the analysis process should be continued with a confirmatory factor analysis to assess whether the hypothesis proposed in the exploratory step is plausible in the population. To carry out the analysis, researchers usually collect a single sample, and then split it into two halves. As no specific splitting methods have been proposed to date in the context of factor analysis, researchers use a random split approach. In this paper we propose a method to split samples into equivalent subsamples similar to one that has already been proposed in the context of multivariate regression analysis. The method was tested in simulation studies and in real datasets.

Is Correcting for Acquiescence Increasing the External Validity of Personality Test Scores?

BACKGROUND: Balanced scales control for acquiescence (ACQ) because the tendency of the respondent to agree with the positive items is cancelled out by the tendency to agree with opposite-pole items. When full balance is achieved, ACQ is not expected to affect external validity. Otherwise, attenuated estimates are expected to appear if no control methods such as Lorenzo-Seva & Ferrando's (2009) are used. METHOD: Expected results were derived analytically. Subsequently, a simulation was carried out to assess (a) how ACQ impacted external validity and (b) how validity estimates behaved when ACQ was corrected. Two illustrative examples are provided. RESULTS: A sizable number of items and/or high content loadings tended to decrease ACQ's impact on validity estimates, making the empirical coefficient closer to its structural value. Furthermore, when scales were well balanced, the controlled and uncorrected scores were close to each other, and led to unbiased validity estimates. When the scales were unbalanced and no corrections were used, attenuated empirical validity coefficients inevitably appeared. CONCLUSIONS: Designing a well-balanced test or correcting for ACQ are the best ways to minimize attenuation in external validity estimation.

Reliability and validity study of the Spanish adaptation of the "Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale" (SCLS).

The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) recommends the use of new educational methodologies and the evaluation of student satisfaction. Different instruments have been developed in Spain to evaluate different aspects such as clinical decisions and teamwork, however no instruments have been found that specifically evaluate student self-confidence and satisfaction during clinical simulation. The aim was to translate the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale (SCLS) questionnaire into Spanish and analyse its reliability and validity and understand the level of satisfaction and self-confidence of nursing students with respect to learning in clinical simulations. The study was carried out in two phases: (1) adaptation of the questionnaire into Spanish. (2) Cross-sectional study in a sample of 489 nursing students. The reliability and exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses were performed. To analyse the relationship of the scale scores with the socio-demographic variables, the Fisher Student T-test or the ANOVA was used. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency reliability for the total scale and each of its dimensions. Cronbach's alpha was 0.88 (0.83 to 0.81) for each of the dimensions. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis showed that both the one-dimensional and two-dimensional models were acceptable. The results showed average scores above 4 for both dimensions. The SCLS-Spanish translation demonstrated evidence of its validity and reliability for use to understand the level of satisfaction and self-confidence of nursing students in clinical simulation. Clinical simulations help students to increase their levels of confidence and satisfaction, enabling them to face real scenarios in clinical practice.

Psychometric Properties of the PDRQ-9 in Cancer Patients: Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The patient-doctor relationship is an important concept in health care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties, convergent validity, and factorial invariance of the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9). METHOD: Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to explore the scale's dimensionality and test for strong measurement invariance across sex, age, and tumor site in a prospective, multicenter cohort of 560 patients who completed the PDRQ-9, Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) scales. RESULTS: The data supported a unidimensional structure. Thresholds and factor loadings could be constrained to be invariant across sex, age, and tumor site, indicating strong measurement invariance. Scores derived from the unidimensional structure exhibited satisfactory degrees of reliability and determinacy. Evidence of convergent validity was supported by modest positive correlations with functional (p<.001) and global quality-of-life (p<.001) and negative correlations with psychological distress (p<.001). Low satisfaction with the oncologist was associated with anxiety (p=.006), and depression (p=.004). CONCLUSIONS: The PDRQ-9 is a suitable, valid instrument for assessing the quality of patient-doctor relationships in cancer patients.

Multidimensional scale of perceived social support (mspss) in cancer patients: psychometric properties and measurement invariance / Escala Multidimensional de Apoyo Social Percibido (MSPSS) en pacientes con cáncer: propiedades psicométricas e invariancia de medida

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties, convergent validity, and factorial invariance of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in cancer patients. METHOD: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to explore the scale's dimensionality and test for strong measurement invariance across sex and age in a cross-sectional, multicenter, prospective study. Patients completed the MSPSS and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: A total of 925 consecutive patients were recruited in 13 hospitals between July 2015 and December 2018. The CFA indicated that the original three-factor model was replicated in patients with cancer. The results of the multi-group CFA revealed a strong invariance according to sex and age. The Spanish version of the MSPSS had high estimated reliability with values exceeding .90. The simple sum of the items of each scale was a good indicator of oncology patients' perceived social support. The three MSPSS subscales correlated significantly with the SWLS. Women scored higher on social support by friends than men. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the MSPSS proved to be a valid, reliable instrument to assess perceived social support in cancer patients

ANTECEDENTES: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas, la validez convergente y la invariancia factorial de la Escala Multidimensional de Apoyo Social Percibido (MSPSS) en pacientes con cáncer. MÉTODO: el análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA) se realizó para explorar la dimensionalidad de la escala y la invariancia de medición por sexo y edad en un estudio prospectivo, transversal y multicéntrico. Los pacientes completaron el MSPSS y la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (SWLS). RESULTADOS: un total de 925 pacientes consecutivos fueron reclutados en 13 hospitales entre julio de 2015 y diciembre de 2018. El CFA indicó que el modelo original de tres factores fue replicado en pacientes con cáncer. Los resultados del CFA multigrupo revelaron invariancia fuerte según el sexo y la edad. La versión en español del MSPSS tenía una alta fiabilidad estimada, con valores superiores a 0,90. La suma simple de los ítems de cada escala fue un buen indicador del apoyo social percibido de los pacientes oncológicos. Las tres subescalas MSPSS se correlacionaron significativamente con el SWLS. CONCLUSIÓN: la versión en español del MSPSS demostró ser un instrumento válido y confiable para evaluar el apoyo social percibido en pacientes con cáncer

Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in cancer patients: psychometric properties and measurement invariance.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties, convergent validity, and factorial invariance of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in cancer patients. METHOD: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to explore the scale's dimensionality and test for strong measurement invariance across sex and age in a cross-sectional, multicenter, prospective study. Patients completed the MSPSS and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: A total of 925 consecutive patients were recruited in 13 hospitals between July 2015 and December 2018. The CFA indicated that the original three-factor model was replicated in patients with cancer. The results of the multi-group CFA revealed a strong invariance according to sex and age. The Spanish version of the MSPSS had high estimated reliability with values exceeding .90. The simple sum of the items of each scale was a good indicator of oncology patients' perceived social support. The three MSPSS subscales correlated significantly with the SWLS. Women scored higher on social support by friends than men. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the MSPSS proved to be a valid, reliable instrument to assess perceived social support in cancer patients.

Psychometric properties of Spanish version of the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale / Propiedades psicométricas de la versión Española de la escala Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC)

Background/Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC) in a large sample of patients with non-metastatic, resected cancer.Methods: Prospective, observational, multicenter study for which 914 patients were recruited from 15 Spanish hospitals. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, validity and reliability analyses were conducted.Results: Factor-analytic results indicated a 4-factor structure of the Spanish version of the Mini-MAC. Three subscales have psychometric properties similar to those of Helplessness, Anxious preoccupation, and Cognitive avoidance of the original the Mini-MAC. The Fighting spirit and the Fatalism subscales were combined on the Positive attitude scale. The four factor-derived scale scores exhibited acceptable accuracy for individual measurement purposes, as well as stability over time in test-retest assessments at 6 months. Validity assessments found meaningful relations between the derived scale scores, and Brief Symptom Inventory depression and anxiety scores and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy spiritual well-being scores.Conclusions: The Spanish version of the Mini-MAC provides reliable and valid measures for patients with non-metastatic, resected cancer, and results corroborate the instrument’s cross-cultural validity. (AU)

Antecedentes/Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión Española del Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC) en pacientes con cáncer resecado, no metastásico.Método: Estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo y observacional con 914 pacientes reclutados en 15 hospitales de España. Se llevaron a cabo análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio, así como análisis de la validez y fiabilidad de las puntuaciones de la escala.Resultados: Los resultados de los análisis factoriales sugieren que la estructura más apropiada para la versión española del Mini-MAC es la de cuatro factores. Tres subescalas derivadas de esta estructura tienen propiedades psicométricas similares a la escala original: Desesperanza, Preocupación ansiosa y Evitación cognitiva. Las subescalas Espíritu de lucha y Fatalismo se combinaron en la escala Actitud positiva. Las puntuaciones en las cuatro escalas mostraron una fiabilidad aceptable para su utilización en la evaluación individual, así como estabilidad a lo largo del tiempo en evaluaciones test-retest a los seis meses. Se obtuvieron evidencias de validez en forma de relaciones significativas con las escalas de ansiedad y depresión del BSI, y de bienestar espiritual del FACIT.Conclusiones: La versión Española del Mini-MAC proporciona puntuaciones fiables y válidas para evaluar las estrategias de afrontamiento en pacientes con cáncer y los resultados añaden evidencia a favor de la validez transcultural del instrumento. (AU)

Psychometric properties of Spanish version of the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC) in a large sample of patients with non-metastatic, resected cancer. METHODS: Prospective, observational, multicenter study for which 914 patients were recruited from 15 Spanish hospitals. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, validity and reliability analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Factor-analytic results indicated a 4-factor structure of the Spanish version of the Mini-MAC. Three subscales have psychometric properties similar to those of Helplessness, Anxious preoccupation, and Cognitive avoidance of the original the Mini-MAC. The Fighting spirit and the Fatalism subscales were combined on the Positive attitude scale. The four factor-derived scale scores exhibited acceptable accuracy for individual measurement purposes, as well as stability over time in test-retest assessments at 6 months. Validity assessments found meaningful relations between the derived scale scores, and Brief Symptom Inventory depression and anxiety scores and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy spiritual well-being scores. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the Mini-MAC provides reliable and valid measures for patients with non-metastatic, resected cancer, and results corroborate the instrument's cross-cultural validity.

ANTECEDENTES/OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión Española del Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC) en pacientes con cáncer resecado, no metastásico. MÉTODO: Estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo y observacional con 914 pacientes reclutados en 15 hospitales de España. Se llevaron a cabo análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio, así como análisis de la validez y fiabilidad de las puntuaciones de la escala. RESULTADOS: Los resultados de los análisis factoriales sugieren que la estructura más apropiada para la versión española del Mini-MAC es la de cuatro factores. Tres subescalas derivadas de esta estructura tienen propiedades psicométricas similares a la escala original: Desesperanza, Preocupación ansiosa y Evitación cognitiva. Las subescalas Espíritu de lucha y Fatalismo se combinaron en la escala Actitud positiva. Las puntuaciones en las cuatro escalas mostraron una fiabilidad aceptable para su utilización en la evaluación individual, así como estabilidad a lo largo del tiempo en evaluaciones test-retest a los seis meses. Se obtuvieron evidencias de validez en forma de relaciones significativas con las escalas de ansiedad y depresión del BSI, y de bienestar espiritual del FACIT. CONCLUSIONES: La versión Española del Mini-MAC proporciona puntuaciones fiables y válidas para evaluar las estrategias de afrontamiento en pacientes con cáncer y los resultados añaden evidencia a favor de la validez transcultural del instrumento.